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Jets QB Geno Smith picks Jay-Z's agency as new rep

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New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith, center, stands in the locker room as he answers questions from the media after NFL football practice in Florham Park., N.J., Wednesday, May 22, 2013.
(AP Photo/Mel Evans)

The New York Jets rookie quarterback has chosen the rap artist's new Roc Nation Sports to represent him. Smith, who slipped out of the first round last month and fell to the Jets in the second round at No. 39 overall, fired his agents — Select Sports — shortly after the NFL draft.

The former West Virginia star met with a handful of agents before announcing Wednesday that he had chosen Jay-Z's agency, which is partnered with Creative Artists Agency. Smith insisted after practice that Jay-Z didn't play "that big of a role" in his final decision — although the quarterback recently tweeted a photo of him with the hip-hop star.

"I think it's just his agency," Smith said. "When you talk about being in New York from a standpoint of what they can do in the city, the connections that they have, I think it's a good move. My mother and my family were comfortable with it, and I'm comfortable with it. I'm just going to move on from there. It's not going to be a big deal.

"I'll just remain humble and keep focusing on football."

Kimberly Miale, recently hired by Jay-Z, whose given name is Shawn Carter, will serve as Smith's contract agent. Smith will be Miale's first NFL client.

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and former Notre Dame star Skylar Diggins, drafted No. 3 overall by the WNBA's Tulsa Shock, have also recently signed with Roc Nation.

Smith, who is competing with Mark Sanchez among others for the team's starting job, said the decision to go with Jay-Z is not an indication that he's focused on his image and marketing opportunities — as speculated by some.

"It's not that important to me, honestly," Smith said. "The only thing that's important to me is the image that's perceived around this locker room, the guy I am to my teammates, to my coaches and the work I put in on the football field. I'm all about football.